Info 101: How to become a foster pet parent in Albany, New York

When does a house become a home? Martha Gouger asked that question in her January 9th blog post and then went on to answer it by saying, When you add a pet to the mix." My wife and I can attest to the veracity of that statement, we have seven cats and two dogs and we can't imagine what life would be like without them. For us, they're not animals but our children.

Animals know the real meaning of "unconditional love," and give it freely. All they ask for is to be loved and to have their needs, not their wants, just their needs to be met. They have an uncanny ability to sense your mood and your needs and they adapt to them and meet them as best they can. My wife is lying in a hospital bed as I write this, recovering from a quadruple bypass after suffering congestive heart failure. I spend hour's everyday at her bedside and come home completely stressed out. The cats sense it and go out of their way to show me love. I don't think I would be able to work with my mind on my wife if it wasn't for them. Our one male cat, Simba, is lying here at my feet as I write this at 4 a.m. But it's not just me, the first thing my wife asks me everyday when I walk into her room is, "How are my babies?'

A house becomes a home when you add a pet to the mix. Before you run out and adopt a kitten, cat, puppy, or dog, you need to ask yourself one very important question; can I afford to care for a four-legged companion as he or she should be cared for? Disregarding the initial cost of adopting a cat or dog, the annual cost of providing for a dog, depending on its size varies from $580 to $875. The annual cost of providing for a cat $670. The initial cost of adopting a dog depending on it size varies from $470 to $560. If you forgo the recommended obedience classes, you may subtract $110 from the initial adoption costs. If you adopt a longhaired dog, depending on its size, you can add another $470 to $560 for professional grooming expenses. The initial adoption cost for adopting a cat is $365. Over all, the first year's expenses for adopting a dog, depending on its size varies from $1,314 to $1,843. The first year expenses for adopting a cat is $1,035. In today's economy, that may be more then you and your family can handle. If you can't handle that financial commitment, you can still add a pet to the mix.

Turn your house into a home by becoming a pet foster parent. The Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society is desperately seeking good pet foster parents to care for kittens until they can find good, permanent homes for them. The pet foster care program is a win-win situation for everyone involved-the shelter, the pet, and the foster pet parent(s). The shelter wins because they have loving parents to care for the pet until it can be placed in a permanent home. The pet wins because it has a loving home to mature in. the foster parent wins because they experience the unconditional love of many pet companions without being burdened with the financial responsibility. Foster parents need big hearts, not big wallets. Everything is provided by the shelter-food, litter, medical care. The foster parent(s) even receives a training manual on what is involved in being a foster parent.

this is no doubt a research based article and its really good one i shared to many of my friends and they are also now following your blog for such interesting . I will keep it in mind, thanks for sharing the information keep updating, looking forward for more posts.http://goo.gl/MMGKR | http://goo.gl/m2OJW | http://goo.gl/syWuy

Jerry Walch is a 66-year-old freelance writer/photographer living in Westerlo, New York. He's been an avid photographer ever since he received his first camera, a Kodak Brownie Box Camera, at the age of 9. Jerry published his first short story in 1974 then rapidly found his niche publishing for the photography and the do-it-yourself markets.
Jerry is married with three children and seven grandkids. Besides his love for his family, his passions are writing, photography and for his pets. With seven cats and two dogs, no one would ever question his love for animals.
You can contact Jerry at jerrywesterlo@aim.com